Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Workington Lookout

Lookout

This unique sculptural clock transforms into a periscope every hour.

Workington, England

Added By
Alan Newman
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Lookout.   Steve Fareham/cc by-sa 2.0
Lookout.   Julian Osley/cc by-sa 2.0
Lookout.   Russel Wills/cc by-sa 2.0
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This clock in the former steel town of Workington, England, is an interactive cross between a sculpture and a mechanical clock that turns itself into a type of town center periscope. But it’s more than an optical oddity or unique piece of public art. The clock actually works, too.

The intriguing clock was modeled after a camera obscura, which projects images of outer objects through a small lens. Its minute hand has a camera attached to it, allowing it to capture scenes as it rotates through the air.

Every hour, the long minute hand elevates to the vertical and, via a series of lenses, projects images of the surroundings onto viewing panels surrounding the spherical center of the clock (which operates in the horizontal plane).

When you’re done admiring the various out-of-sight scenes, you can actually use the clock to tell time. The minutes appear on the ground, and the hour can be seen on a ring above the large sphere.

The clock was designed by artist Andy Plant, and the installation also includes surrounding seats which contain speakers to play music, on the hour and half hour, specially composed by Matt Wand. The recording incorporates sampled voices from the public of Workington and instrumentals from Stainburn Steel Band and Deerham Brass Band.

Related Tags

Clocks Sculptures Optical Oddities Public Art Camera Obscura

Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

rbenn250

  • rbenn250

Published

July 5, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3541067
  • http://www.andyplant.co.uk/workington/
Lookout
54 Pow St
Workington, England
United Kingdom
54.644049, -3.545092
Get Directions

Nearby Places

'Alauna Aura'

Maryport, England

miles away

Mildred Gale's Burial Site

Whitehaven, England

miles away

Fairy Rock

Whitehaven, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,219
Stories 145

Nearby Places

'Alauna Aura'

Maryport, England

miles away

Mildred Gale's Burial Site

Whitehaven, England

miles away

Fairy Rock

Whitehaven, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,219
Stories 145

Related Places

  • La Louvière, Belgium

    ‘La Grande Assiette Brisée’ (‘The Large Broken Plate’)

    This surprising work of art reminds us that La Louvière was once home to one of Europe’s most famous stoneware factories.

  • A large sculpture in a field with a rainbow behind it.

    Chattanooga, Tennessee

    Sculpture Fields at Montague Park

    Stroll among more than 50 large-scale sculptures created by world-class artists.

    Sponsored by Chattanooga Tourism
  • This scenic park on the shores of Lake Ontario is open 24/7.

    Toronto, Ontario

    Sundial Folly

    An enigmatic concrete structure in a lakeside Toronto park raises more questions than answers.

    Sponsored by Destination Toronto
  • All four ‘Tumblers on Life´s Path’ in order, left to right.

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    'Tumlinger på livets vej' ('Tumblers on Life's Path')

    Four whimsical figures make for an unexpected sight along an urban commuter route.

  • Custard apple, breadfruit, and soursop sculptures dedicated to the Caribbean diaspora in the UK.

    London, England

    Custard Apple, Breadfruit, and Soursop Sculptures

    These oversized fruit sculptures honor the contributions of the Windrush generation.

  • Hippos and mushrooms on display in Glenrothes.

    Glenrothes, Scotland

    Concrete Hippos of Glenrothes

    This town hosts 170 pieces of public art, including giant irises, flying saucers, and, famously, hippos.

  • Basel, Switzerland

    Hammering Man

    This 42-foot tribute to the workforce still reminds us to pause and recharge.

  • Eskişehir, Turkey

    Uğur Mumcu Park

    This harrowing memorial remembers a murdered investigative journalist.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.